Appearances can be deceiving at Riders’ training camp

Avon Cobourne looks like he could be the answer to the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ question of who will start at running back in the 2014 CFL season. Cobourne appears fit enough and he has the resume to fill the hole created by the departure of Kory Sheets, who signed with NFL’s Oakland Raiders during the off-season.

There was even a moment when the Riders’ rookie running backs coach felt there just might be a comeback left in those 35-year-old legs.

“When I first came out here, it felt like I could and then later in the day my knees started to hurt,” Cobourne said with a chuckle after Monday’s walk-through at the University of Saskatchewan’s Griffiths Stadium. “I knew then there was a reason why I wasn’t playing football anymore.”

Cobourne retired as a player on Feb. 16, 2013, after being released by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He was hired by the Riders on March 14 of this year and is now focused on finding the next Sheets among the prospects on the Riders’ training camp roster.

“We really haven’t done much for anyone to separate themselves,” Cobourne said. “We’re still getting our rotation together so they all have a fair shot.”

Defensive back Donnie Fletcher, left, intercepts a pass intended for running back Matt Brown during the Saskatchewan Roughriders training camp in Saskatoon, Sask.. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Liam Richards)

Cobourne’s role is to make sure the players are prepared to show off their talents. He understands that the final decision will be made by head coach Corey Chamblin, general manager Brendan Taman and other members of football operations.

“I really don’t have a say in anything,” Cobourne said. “I can voice who I think will be the guy. I’m just trying to see where the chips falls. I don’t want to be seen as giving a guy that I favour all of the reps. I’ll just let the chips fall where they may.”

The import prospects — Matt Brown, Curtis McNeal, Clifton Smith, Jermaine Thomas, Javon Ringer and Keith Toston — could do a lot worse than follow Cobourne’s lead. He was among the league’s elite running backs during a seven-year CFL career with the Montreal Alouettes (2005-10) and Tiger-Cats (2011-12). He was a CFL all-star in 2009, the same year he was named the most valuable player in Montreal’s 28-27 win over the Riders in the Grey Cup game. He added East Division all-star honours in 2009, 2010 and 2012.

Cobourne was a multi-dimensional back who finished his CFL career with 919 carries for 4,999 yards and 37 touchdowns. He had 276 receptions for 2,510 yards and seven touchdowns. Cobourne was also among the league’s best blocking backs. It’s that level of play and experience that he’s passing on to the new players.

“Most of the guys here have played at a higher level so they have some understanding (of the position),” Cobourne said. “What I can bring are the intricacies in this league. I don’t want to bombard them with information because as a player I hated that. If they do come to me or I see them doing something wrong, that’s when I will help them with the knowledge that I have obtained playing the game.”

Running back Jermaine Thomas, left, runs the ball past defensive back Hugo Lopez during the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ training camp in Saskatoon, Sask.. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Liam Richards)

Cobourne isn’t sure if the prospects are aware of how versatile a running back needs to be in the CFL.

“That’s the one thing that I can harp on,” Cobourne said. “I know that I can’t have a one-dimensional player that doesn’t want to block or catch the ball. I think that’s why (Chamblin) brought me in. I wasn’t great at everything, but I was good.”

McNeal appreciates the opportunity to step forward with the Riders and compete for the position.

“Everywhere I’ve been there has been competition,” McNeal said. “(At USC) there were seven of us, so it doesn’t matter if it’s open, closed or they have a guy in place. You want to go out every day and compete because you never know what’s going to happen.”

McNeal is also learning what Cobourne can offer as a coach.

“He has the experience,” McNeal said. “When someone has the experience they can tell you because they have been through it. He knows what he’s talking about and I’m trying to soak up as much as I can.”